Several businesses she went to for sponsorship did not want anything to do with her after finding out she was competing in Miss Universe New Zealand.

At first the kohanga reo teacher also thought that to win she would have to be tall, white and skinny but judges and organisers actually looked for people who could offer skills and were good ambassadors and role models, she said.

"You don't have to wear makeup everyday and wear high heels . . . you don't have to change to look like a certain person. I haven't changed, I still wear my gumboots.

"They've allowed me to be myself and hold on to my Maori heritage throughout the whole campaign.

"I just hope to win to encourage everybody that they can be themselves."

Last month the contestants spent a week on a retreat in Thailand where Miss Ihaia said she got to know the other finalists and had made lifelong friends.

"We all just clicked very well. It's not like what everyone thinks it is, we're not there to win the competition by bringing each other down.

"We've all put so much work into it, they're really lovely down-to-earth girls."

The overall result on August 12 is split 50-50, between the public vote which is conducted through each contestant's individual Facebook pages and the judges.

The winner will go on to represent New Zealand in the international Miss Universe competition next year.

The Grand Final will be streamed live via www.nextmissnz.com from SkyCity on August 12.